James Hook is not easily fazed. Some players, when compared by their coach to Barry John, the prince of outside-halves, would blush at the compliment and suspect it was designed to boost their self-confidence. Hook is different - "flattered" Wales's rising star may be but he is aware of the similarities.
The Ospreys' coach, Lyn Jones, made the comparison two months ago after the 21-year-old Hook had come on as a 25th-minute replacement for Stephen Jones against Australia and helped turn what had looked likely to be a resounding defeat into a draw. Although Hook still has a considerable way to go before he can be ranked alongside probably the most naturally gifted player ever to pull on a rugby jersey, there is a resemblance.
John never got flustered. If he made a mistake it hardened his resolve rather than weighed him down. He never lost faith in his considerable ability and always backed himself, having, like Hook today, the gift of time. Back in 1970, when Cardiff met Llanelli at the Arms Park, John's brothers Clive and Alan were in the opposing Scarlets' back row and spent the days before the match warning him that he would not be given an inch of space to exploit. And so it proved, with every one of his breaks met with a brotherly embrace. But it did not stop him from winning the match, scoring all his side's points with four drop-goals. "Rugby is the art of the possible," he said later.
John had been retired from the game for 13 years when Hook was born. "He is more than just a name to me," said Hook, who was a scrum-half until the age of 16. "He is a legend and to be mentioned in the same breath as him is very flattering. I am just at the beginning of my career - two years ago I was watching Wales win the grand slam against Ireland in an Irish bar in Cardiff and last season I was playing semi-professional rugby while Wales were taking part in the championship.
"Things have happened quickly and I never imagined at the start of the season that I would be preparing to take part in the Six Nations. The game has moved on since Barry John's day but like him I do not believe in dwelling on your mistakes. It gives the opposition a chance to scent weakness and you have a long time afterwards to reflect on something you did wrong. I prefer to look forward."
Hook is more robust physically than John was, which is why Wales have this season been giving him his international induction at inside-centre, just as New Zealand did in the 2003 World Cup when Daniel Carter served his apprenticeship outside Carlos Spencer before taking over the No10 jersey the following year.
"Playing at 12 gives me the advantage of having more time than I would have at outside-half," said Hook. "If I do play at 10 for Wales in years to come, this experience will help me step into the position. It is making me appreciate what being a fly-half is about and you can only learn from a playing alongside Stephen Jones."
Hook has already become a marked man, someone opponents take seriously. When the Ospreys played at Sale in the Heineken Cup this month the home No8 Sébastien Chabal never wasted an opportunity to give Hook a running commentary on how he saw things progressing and the centre can expect more of the same on Sunday when he comes up against arguably the leading midfield pairing in the world game, Gordon D'Arcy and Brian O'Driscoll.
"I am sure there will be a bit of banter," said Hook. "I suppose I can take what Chabal did as a compliment, but I let words drift over my head. Ireland first up is a big game in itself. They are the bookies' favourites to win the championship but if we beat them it will give us momentum to take into the rest of the campaign. Everyone knows that it is important to get a good start in the Six Nations."
Hook has taken over from his regional and international colleague Gavin Henson as the most talked about player in Wales this season and, unlike Henson, is virtually certain of being named in the side to face Ireland when it is announced this afternoon. The problem for the Wales head coach, Gareth Jenkins, is not whether to throw Hook into the fray but who will fill the positions in his outside backs. with Tom Shanklin, Shane Williams and Mark Jones all out injured and Gareth Thomas, an option at full-back, wing and outside-centre, facing the possibility of a ban at a Heineken Cup disciplinary hearing on Thursday.
"The attention has not changed me," said Hook. "My sole focus is to play rugby and nothing will get in my way. All I am concerned about is being chosen to face Ireland. I hate being named on the bench." Unlike Henson, companies have not been clamouring for him to endorse their products. "I think Gavin has hogged the lot," he said, in relief rather than disappointment.
How they compare
Barry John
Born January 6 1945, Cefneithin
Club Cardiff
International debut v Australia, 1966
Lions debut v New Zealand, 1971
Caps 25, five for Lions
Test points 90, 30 for Lions
Rugby education Trinity College, Carmarthen
Family background Brothers Clive and Alan played top-flight rugby for Llanelli.
James Hook
Born June 27 1985, Port Talbot
Club Ospreys
International debut v Argentina, 2006
Caps 6
Test points 51
Rugby education Amateur rugby with Aberavon, Corus and Neath
Family background Brother Michael captained Wales at youth-team level and is now a player-coach with Redruth. Father Richard is a sports physiotherapist.
